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The timber framers from the U.S. have arrived in Germany, for three weeks of training and instruction at the Gewerbe Academy, a Zimmermann training facility in Rottweil. From January 10-31, 2004 participants are learning traditional German skills as well as technologically current skills in carpentry and joinery. They are learning layout, design and cutting techniques that are not currently part of training in North America. This three-week course is an expanded version of the one-week trial courses offered earlier this year.

Here's a report from Chris Koehn in Germany.

Chris's Report: Arrival

All is well, and all are safely arrived, albeit not entirely without difficulties, and mostly with little sleep. Nothing beers didn't cure. Zimmermeister Filippo Campagna, Heiner, and Oliver Amandi (of Dietrich's AG) have been gracious and fantastic. Today we will visit a neighboring town to take part in their Canival celebration. Put this under "cultural experience" heading. I suspect there will be beer there as well. Imagine that. We all look forward to starting our schooling in earnest tomorrow.

Chris's Report: Day 1

Today was a mixture of class time and tours. First the tour or the Gewerbe Akademie, with introductions to the hard-working plaster and pastry apprentices -- the first producing long-lasting architectural art and the second producing shorter lasting works that are just as beautiful and for which we are eminently grateful.

Next it was off to the old town hall built in the 1500s for a meeting with the Mayor of Rottweil. from there a wonderful behind-the-scenes tour of the old town with the town historian. Nearly every building in this part of town is timber framed, and many date from the 1400s.

After lunch we began our class time with lessons in traditional geometry, led by Filippo and Oliver. We are promised this knowledge will be applied shortly.

Finally, Filippo managed to finagle a quick tour of a local fachtwerk house undergoing restoration. Fantastic to see our craft applied in this way by these people, in unbroken tradition.

Chris's Report: Day 2

Today was a field trip day. First to Konstanz, where we had a thorough introduction to the German bureau of trades HQ. Much to learn about how this mature and supremely successful system is structured, in terms of testing, competencies, employer/employee relations, etc. We also got to tour the Gewerbe Akademie in Konstanz, which offers metal working, cabinet making, and auto repair. This place is a big part of why Germany has a well-earned reputation for quality.

After lunch and a ferry ride across the Bodensee, we toured an ancient archaeological site on the edge of the lake to where the German zimmermen -- and therefore many of the rest of us -- can trace our roots. There are timbered structures that were here that date to 2000 B.C. By 1,000 B.C. there were well-developed hip roofs in timber, with some mortise and tenon work.

Onward to Meersburg for a fantastic traditional meal in this medieval town, too cute for its own good, sporting more fachtwerk buildings than we could shake our collective sticks at. Tomorrow we begin roof layout in earnest.

Checking out some of the zimmerman master projects.	Filippo, Oliver, the Mayor of Rottweil, Heiner, and Dennis.	Someone fell down and baroque it (sorry).
Our roots may be here.	Tony and Kurt
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